GREEN BAY PACKERS
2003: 10-6, first; defeated Seattle in wild-card, lost to Philadelphia in divisional round.
Coach: Mike Sherman (5th year).
Key additions: LB Tyreo Harrison; CB Chris Watson; FS Mark Roman.
Key losses: DT Gilbert Brown; S Antuan Edwards; DE Joe Johnson; DE Jamal Reynolds.
First-round pick: CB Ahmad Carroll.
Key issue: Will the secondary be good enough? Mark Roman will team with Darren Sharper for an outstanding safety combination. The corners, however, are untested. Mike McKenzie held out and demanded a trade. If he returns with the right mind-set, the Packers should be fine.
Playoff outlook: Very good. The offense is as they come. QB Brett Favre makes the goal quite clear: “There’s no sense beating around the bush. Either it’s the Super Bowl or it was a bust.”
–KRT, TRIBUNE
– – –
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2003: 9-7, second.
Coach: Mike Tice (4th year).
Key additions: CB Antoine Winfield; WR Marcus Robinson; TE Jermaine Wiggins; DT Steve Martin; P Darren Bennett; LB Keith Newman.
Key losses: DT Fred Robbins; WR D’Wayne Bates; TE Hunter Goodwin; CB Eric Kelly; CB Denard Walker; LB Henri Crockett.
First-round pick: DE Kenechi Udeze.
Key issue: Can the defense improve? The first step was hiring Ted Cottrell as coordinator. CB Antoine Winfield will make an impact in the secondary, but there is little depth. With rookie pass rushers Kenechi Udeze and LB Dontarrious Thomas playing key roles, expect a more aggressive attack.
Playoff outlook: Good. Cotrell said he is happy he no longer has to scheme against WR Randy Moss. “I never realized how good he is until I came here and see him day in and day out. Just an incredible player.”
–KRT, TRIBUNE
– – –
DETROIT LIONS
2003: 5-11, fourth.
Coach: Steve Mariucci (2nd year).
Key additions: OL Damien Woody; CB Fernando Bryant; WR Tai Streets; FS Brock Marion; TE Stephen Alexander.
Key losses: RB James Stewart; DT Luther Elliss; S Corey Harris; LB Barrett Green;
LB Jeff Gooch; OL Eric Beverly; CB Otis Smith; TE Mikhael Ricks.
More Top Picks Best Heated Eye Masks For Dry Eyes
First-round pick: WR Roy Williams, RB Kevin Jones.
Key issue: The Lions have done everything possible to aid young QB Joey Harrington. The team took WRs Roy Williams and Charles Rogers with top-10 picks the past two seasons. There also is running game saviour Kevin Jones. Now the onus is on Harrington.
Playoff outlook: Fair. Williams appears farther along than Rogers was as a rookie, and Jones already is being mentioned with Sims and Sanders in Detroit. “We’re going to make big plays,” Harrington said.
–KRT, TRIBUNE
– – –
CHICAGO BEARS
2003: 7-9, third.
Coach: Lovie Smith (1st year).
Key additions: DE Adewale Ogunleye; RB Thomas Jones; QB Jonathan Quinn; FB Bryan Johnson; OG Ruben Brown; OT John Tait; OG Michael Keathley; LB Jack Golden.
Key losses: QB Kordell Stewart; WR Marty Booker; DE Phillip Daniels; LB Warrick Holdman; OG Chris Villarrial; WR Dez White; DT Keith Traylor.
First-round pick: DT Tommie Harris.
Key issue: Can the Bears stop anyone on defense? Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher remains a force, but outside of him, it’s questionable. The secondary appears decent with CB Charles Tillman and safety Mike Brown leading the way.
Playoff outlook: Poor to fair. Offensive coordinator Terry Shea contends the Bears will have one of the best running games if all comes together. His Chiefs teams were 53/47 percent pass-to-run.
–KRT, TRIBUNE
DIVISION MVP: RANDYMOSS, MINNESOTA
DBs can’t grab and bump the Vikings receiver beyond five yards anymore. Truly. Scary.